INTEGRATED SEAT CONTROL WITH ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES

• US 20010003806A1
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Published: 06/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: WASHELESKI, JOHN, SWAN, JEFFREY, NEWMAN, TODD, PERRIN, RANDY
• Granted Patent: US 6,243,635 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/666 vertically adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/0115 comprising only inductors and capacitors H03H7/075, H03H7/09, H03H7/12, H03H7/13 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/06 including resistors H03H7/075, H03H7/09, H03H7/12, H03H7/13 take precedence

Abstract

A motor control system employed in a mechanism including displacers driven by motors, for example, a vehicle seat control system, includes motor operation parameter detection or simulation as inputs to adaptive algorithms to simplify the control system. The adaptive algorithms compensate for the interference with detection of generated or sensed pulses in previous pulse counting implementations. The seat control permits additional functions to be performed without numerous sensors, power controls and robust demands required in previous systems for controlling motors.

Claims

1. A position controller for at least one displacer driven by at least one motor with a displaceable shaft, the controller comprising:

a control module for selectively delivering electrical power to the motor and a monitor for the delivery of electrical power to the motor;

a sensor means for detecting displacement of the motor shaft; and

a position limiter controlling delivery of power to the motor in response to said sensor and said monitor, said limiter including compensation for relative displacement between the shaft and the displacer, and a compensator for falsely sensed or unsensed displacement of said shaft.

2. The invention as described in

claim 1

wherein the motor has a rotary shaft with a commutator and said sensor comprises an interface circuit for generating pulses in response to rotation of the commutator.

3. The invention as described in

claim 2

wherein said position limiter includes a compensator for determining the absence of a pulse expected during rotation by monitoring motor current and detecting said pulses from said interface circuit, and generating an adaptive feedback pulse in response to the absence.

4. The invention as described in

claim 2

wherein said position limiter includes a predictor that determines an expected pulse position as a function of rotating shaft speed, time and pulse count.

5. The invention as described in

claim 3

wherein said position limiter adapts the controller to terminate power to the motor prior to an end of travel position of said at least one displacer in response to said compensator.

6. A seat controller for managing displacement of at least one component of a seat mechanism by operation of a motor, the control comprising:

a motor monitor sensing rotation pulses of said motor;

a motor operation monitor sensing at least one motor operating parameter for the motor actuation; and

a compensator for adjusting the displacement in response to said rotation pulses and said at least one motor operating parameter.

7. The invention as described in

claim 6

wherein said compensator comprises a commutator current and/or voltage pulse counter and a motor current detector.

8. A method for simplifying control of at least one motor and determining the position of a displacer moved by said at least one motor, the method comprising:

generating a pulse or a pulse simulation for each movement of said motor over a predetermined increment of motor operation parameter;

determining a location of the displacer by adaptively accounting for each said pulse or pulse simulation; and

compensating for undetectable pulses and for motor operation parameter variations by indicating position of the displacer and adjusting the indicated position of said displacer in response to said accounting.

9. The invention as described in

claim 8

wherein said predetermined increment of motor operation parameter comprises a sensor response to at least one moving motor part, timing a duration from an actuation command, detecting a motor current and detecting a motor voltage.

10. The invention as described in

claim 9

wherein said motor includes a rotary shaft and a commutator and said moving a motor part is detected by sensing commutator pulses.

11. The invention as described in

claim 9

wherein said moving a motor part is detected by sensing a shaft displacement.

12. An apparatus for controlling movement of a displacer comprising:

at least one motor;

at least one coupling for moving the displacer in response to operation of said motor;

at least one sensor providing signals in response to a parameter associated with at least one of said motor, said coupler and the displacer; and

a controller with adaptive processing for monitoring and controlling said parameter, said adaptive processor including a compensator supplied with simulated limits of said parameter, a comparor for comparing said simulated limits of said parameter with said sensed parameter, and a control signal adjustor determining motor position in response to said comparison.

13. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said simulated limits and said parameter are electrical noise parameters.

14. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said simulated limits and said parameter are electrical power to said motor including energization errors at startup.

15. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said variable limits and said parameter are electrical power to said motor including de-energization errors.

16. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein the motor has brushes and mechanical commutator for selectively energizing and commutating the electrical currents to motor coil windings, and wherein said parameter comprises commutating pulses.

17. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein the motor is a brushless type motor and wherein said parameter comprises energy applied to motor windings.

18. The invention as described in

claim 17

wherein said parameter sensor includes an electronic interface circuit for detecting current in said windings.

19. The invention as described in

claim 18

wherein said parameter sensor includes a band pass filter to select a predetermined range of commutation pulse frequencies.

20. The invention as described in

claim 18

wherein said parameter sensor includes a detector for motor current in unenergized windings.

21. The invention as described in

claim 18

wherein said control signal adjustor includes a simulator for selectively energizing motor windings in response to said parameter sensor.

22. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said parameter sensor is a displacement sensor.

23. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said motor is a linear motor.

24. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said controller and said parameter sensor are integrally coupled with the motor housing.

25. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said signals comprise a first time derivative of said parameter.

26. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said signals comprise a second time derivative of said parameter.

27. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said displacer is a support for an automotive component.

28. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said controller includes a sensor for determining physical obstruction to movement of the displacer.

29. The invention as described in

claim 12

wherein said controller includes automatic memory positioning.

30. The invention as described in

claim 12

and further comprising a communicator.

31. The invention as described in

claim 12

and further comprising a communicator.